Teen’s battle against paralysis

Andrew Nowell

A LEIGH mum has told of the horrifying swimming accident which left her teenage son paralysed and fighting just to walk again.

Cory Peyton, 15, was airlifted to hospital with two fractured vertebrae after a routine dive into a swimming pool on holiday in Portugal went shockingly wrong in July.

Although he has since recovered some movement, the teenager will remain at a specialist spinal unit in Southport until the new year, with his family desperately fund-raising to meet the cost of intensive rehab and stem cell treatment abroad in the future.

Keen actor Cory has seen his drama group, run by celebrated actor Will Travis, rally round, organising a fund-raiser for him in Leigh this weekend.

Cory’s mum Michelle, 43, has spoken of the devastating effect his injury has had on the entire family, made up of his dad Gary and his elder brothers Ashley, 24, and Ben, 21, and paid tribute to her son’s determination not to let his ordeal dampen his optimism for the future.

Michelle, of Keats Close, said: “It’s made us all ill, it’s just shattered our world. I can’t believe just a diving accident could do this.

“It was the same spot he’d been jumping into the pool all week and he wasn’t messing about or anything like that. I don’t know what happened and neither do the doctors.

“His spirits are up and he’s trying so hard with his therapy, he gives it 110 per cent all the time. He’s so determined and never gives up.

“He’s always smiling and nothing fazes him. I’m very proud to be his mum.”

Cory had an operation at a hospital in the Portuguese capital Lisbon before being flown back to the UK for treatment in Manchester and Southport, where he will spend a total of six months.

He has managed to regain some movement in his legs and toes, and is now able to spend weekends at home in Leigh when he is feeling well enough.

Michelle and husband Gary are currently looking to send him for intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation at a centre in Watford while researching the major step of sending him for stem cell treatment in either America or China.

Acting group A Will and a Way, where Cory has been treading the boards for more than three years, will hold an evening of comedy and live music with an auction and raffle at Leigh Miners’ Welfare Institute on Friday evening.

Michelle paid tribute to the group for the support they have given Cory and the family during the difficult months following his accident.

She said: “They’ve been absolutely amazing, I can’t thank them enough.

“He’s been going down there in his wheelchair and they look after him.

“I’m his mum and I don’t like leaving him at the moment but there I know he’s going to be absolutely fine and I don’t worry at all.

“Will’s been in contact with us since day one and the young pupils have been brilliant with him too.”

The Cory Revue to raise money for Cory Peyton is at Leigh Miners’ Welfare Institute, on Twist Lane, on Friday December 13 from 7pm. Tickets are £5 on the door.